Tyro: Community loves its local eating establishment

Tuesday

Jul 2, 2013 at 12:01 AM

The year was 1973 — 40 years ago. What were we doing? OMG, we didn't know what that meant, nor did we know what type of impact BFF, LOL or SMY would have on texting because we didn't have cell phones. Gas was 40¢ a gallon, a dozen eggs were 45¢, hot dogs were a $1 and the average yearly income was $12,900 per year. Stranger than that, Hanes Mall did not exist. Best of all I was a teenager … wow, hard to believe.

By Linda DouganCorrespondent

The year was 1973 — 40 years ago. What were we doing? OMG, we didn't know what that meant, nor did we know what type of impact BFF, LOL or SMY would have on texting because we didn't have cell phones. Gas was 40¢ a gallon, a dozen eggs were 45¢, hot dogs were a $1 and the average yearly income was $12,900 per year. Stranger than that, Hanes Mall did not exist. Best of all I was a teenager … wow, hard to believe.The other good thing (besides me being a teenager) about 1973 was the excitement in downtown Tyro with the opening of Stamey's Barbecue. Now please don't think that we hadn't had places to eat until then. We had the small café which used to be across from the current Stamey's location and beside the café was a fabric shop run by Mrs. Freeman. There was an eating establishment where West Davidson Hair Cutters is now, but for some reason not many folks ate there, never really knew why. Some of the local grocery store owners in Tyro such as Bruce Koontz and Rabb Walser would fix a bologna and cheese sandwich or a tomato sandwich and sell you a carton of milk for 50¢. But nothing brought excitement to Tyro 40 years ago like the opening of Stamey's Barbecue. Stamey's served many purposes. They sold that original, delicious pit cooked barbecue that everyone loved and the famous Dragon Burger, but they also offered a place for folks to gather and discuss the events of the day. Stamey's has sponsored a variety of sporting teams over the past years which enabled our children to participate in a multitude of sports. Never was there a time when a team was turned away if there was a need. Our community has lost some very special folks during the past 40 years and most can remember exactly where they sat and usually what they had to eat while visiting Stamey's. We miss their faces and the many stories they shared. We remember C.W. Long, Willie Hugh Mason, Floyd Shoaf, Doc Trollinger, Archie Davis, Jewell Peck, Canola Potts, Bill Simerson, Kirby Greene, John and Nancy Lyon, Chubby Trollinger, Ed Miller, Grady Miller, Hubert and Lucille Wilson, Charles Church and the many others that have left an impact on Tyro and the friends they left behind at Stamey's over the past 40 years. So thank you to Stamey's Barbecue: Dan, Nancy, Scoot, Matt, Joey Poole, Mary Jo Poole and the late Helen Stamey for 40 years of dedication, service and support to the Tyro community. STEM camp setThe Dragon STEM Science Camp will be held from 8 a.m. until noon each day July 15-19. Students will be involved in hands on science activities inside and out. Cost is $40 which includes a snack. Contact Keith Stanek at kstanek@davidson.k12.nc.us, Shelly Leonard at sleonard@davidson.k12.nc.us or you can call the school at 853-7795. A minimum number of participants is needed to have the science camp, therefore pre registration are required. Campers must have paid and registered by July 1. If for any reason the camp must be cancelled we will reimburse any funds paid in advance.Library has many activities plannedOn July 10, the West Davidson Public Library will have digging machines from Sink Farm Equipment along with Billy Simerson giving demonstrations. July 15 they will host a special storyteller who will come to take the participants on a Safari and July 22 is movie night for grades K-5th grade. Showing at 6 p.m. will be the movie, "The Fantastic Mr. Fox." Anyone can participate in the summer reading program if you are birth to a rising 5th grader. Playgrounds will host childcare againDavidson County Parks and Recreation Department will once again offer a four-week summer playground at five of our county's elementary schools. Tyro Elementary will be one of these locations and the program is open to children ages 5-12. The camp is open from 7:30 a.m. until 1 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Registration is on a first come, first served basis. The cost is $5 per child per week and begins July 8. Tyro Elementary is also a feeding site for the county so the campers attending will eat lunch free. Campers will have days filled with arts, crafts, table games, special events and many a surprise or two. For more information about this playground camp or others in the county call 242-2959. Celebrating milestonesA new blue bundle of joy has arrived at the Brady family. Caleb Richard Brady was born June 13 to Deric and Mandy Brady. His proud grandparents are Eddie and Jill Comer and Richard and Louise Brady. Caleb's proud big sister is Carissa Layne. Congratulations on the new arrival. Prayers are neededPlease add to your daily prayer list little Caleb Brady, Maynard Livengood, Wayne Howell, Jim Ayers, Wallace Slaydon, Ella Mae Freeman, Brenda Slaydon, Chad Kirkendall, Wayne Everhart, Seth Turlington and the families of Lois Snider, Sonny Conrad and Dean Beck.